The National Housing Strategy (NHS) was enacted in 2017, and its implementation is overseen by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The NHS includes several funding programs for constructing new housing supply, funding for repairing and renewing existing affordable housing, resources for community housing providers, and funding for research and innovation. The NHS is the Government of Canada’s solution to their commitment to reduce the housing needs of 530,000 households across the country by 2028.

As part of the NHS research initiatives, CMHC has published a series of short-term findings in the early years of the Strategy’s implementation. The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) developed a literature review and compiled relevant provincial and national level datasets, with funding from the NHS. The primary aim of this research was to understand how affordable housing with wrap-around supports and programming can impact refugee families integrating into Canadian society. The study identified 6 key outcomes and indicators pivotal to the successful integration of immigrants and refugees relocating to Canada.

Housing

In reviewing housing outcomes for newcomers to Canada, it was determined that affordability was the largest contributor to positive outcomes. Those households spending 30% or more of their pre-tax income on housing were considered to be in core housing need, and those spending 50% or more of their pre-tax income on housing were considered to be in severe need. According to the literature review, nearly 30% of newcomer households were in core housing need (spending 30% or more of their pre-tax income on housing) in 2011, which was roughly three times the proportion of non-immigrant households in core housing need.

Within 3 years of settling, evidence in the literature demonstrates that shelter-to-income ratios for refugee renters improves from 31% to 22% on average. Overall, research shows that Canadian immigrants tend to achieve similar housing conditions to Canadian-born citizens in the long term, but it is taking longer and longer over time for immigrants to reach this level.

Language Proficiency

Being proficient in English and/or French is among the most important factors for newcomers integrating into Canada. Effective communication allows immigrants to participate in political, social, and cultural practices, in addition to making it significantly easier to navigate everyday activities such as shopping and using transit.

Language skills are also associated with better outcomes when it comes to employment and wages, civic engagement, community participation, education, and health. For instance, a 2009 study referenced in the literature review noted that immigrant men with the highest level of language proficiency earned on average $1,042 per week, while those with the lowest level of proficiency earned an average of $579 per week. Similarly, immigrant women with the highest level of language proficiency earned an average of $684 per week, while those with the lowest proficiency levels earned on average $427 per week.

Financial Literacy

Immigrants and refugees come from widely varying backgrounds, and the financial systems in their native countries may be vastly different from those in Canada, and in the early years of integration in Canada, newcomers need to make significant financial decisions. “Financial exclusion” also impacts immigrants more than Canadian-born individuals, meaning that they are unable to access financial products and services due to factors such as living in rural areas without certain financial institutions, or not having the technology needed to access services like online banking. Research has shown that ongoing financial literacy programs can make a significant impact on how successful they are in achieving goals, such as sending children to university or purchasing a home.

Childcare and Early Childhood Education

Immigrant and refugee children are less likely than Canadian-born children to be enrolled in early childhood education (ECE) programs, and are also significantly less likely to have any kind of non-parental childcare in place (eg., relatives, babysitters, daycare centres, etc.). These gaps seem to largely be to do with socioeconomic status, but immigrant and refugee families also face additional challenges such as language barriers, legal status, and lack of experience or understanding of the ECE systems and resources in Canada. ECE programs have been proven to provide academic enrichment for children, and could help close the gap between school readiness for immigrant and refugee children compared to Canadian-born children.

After School Programs

After school programs have been shown to improve children’s social skills and academic outcomes. There are a wide spectrum of after school programs, including homework help, employment support, literacy and language skill-building, physical activities, and creative activities. Program evaluations have demonstrated very positive outcomes not only in academic advancement, but also social and emotional growth and support.

Community Connections

One’s sense of belonging, perception of community safety, and levels of trust in individuals and institutions, among other indicators, prompt a desire to engage and participate in community initiatives and societal processes. For instance, when someone is engaged with community issues and trusts local government, they may be more likely to vote in elections or volunteer with community projects.

Resources:

• CMHC Research Insight: Addressing the Housing Needs of Refugee Families through Transitional Housing and Wrap-Around Supports
• Addressing the Housing Needs of Immigrants and Refugees Through Transitional Housing and Wrap-around Supports: A Literature Review